Team USA can have been expecting one other easy game against Denmark within the team’s second game of the Olympic competition. Nevertheless, the Americans carried a narrow 4-3 lead into the third period despite dominating possession and the shots on goal.
PULL SWAYMAN!!
Don’t let him back in that net for the remaining of the Olympics. #Olympics26 #USA #OlympicHockey— T Bone (@TeeBoneFerguson) February 14, 2026
Team USA goaltender Jeremy Swayman was struggling throughout the primary 40 minutes as he gave up 3 goals on just 12 shots. Two of the goals were highly questionable and fans of Team USA were quite upset with Swayman’s performance.
Fans were questioning why Team USA head coach Mike Sullivan gave the Boston Bruins goaltender the chance to play. Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets is widely considered the No. 1 goalie for the Americans. He was in net for the team’s 5-1 victory over Latvia in Thursday’s opening game. Along with Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger of the Dallas Stars is the third American goalie. Some observers preferred to see him in the online over Swayman.
Denmark scores shaky goals against Swayman
Nick Olesen of Denmark opened the scoring in the primary period on a goal that appeared to go off defenseman Zach Werenski’s skate. That goal didn’t seem like Swayman’s fault.
Nevertheless, Nicholas Jensen scored shortly after the midway point of the primary period when he nailed a shot as he crossed center ice. It was stunning to see the puck get past Swayman.
The U.S. rebounded from a 2-1 deficit to begin the center period by scoring 3 consecutive goals by Brady Tkachuk, Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin. Nevertheless, as a substitute of going into the locker room with a 4-2 lead after two periods, Phillip Bruggisser of Denmark scored on a slap shot from contained in the blue line with just 3 seconds remaining.
That cut the result in 4-3, and led to USA fans complaining about Swayman’s performance.
America added two goals within the third period and pulled out a 6-3 victory despite Swayman’s gaffes.